Harem System In A fantasy World - Chapter 182: Judgement
Chapter 182: Judgement
William’s breathing had grown ragged. His chest rose and fell quickly, as if he had just run a long distance. Sweat had begun to form along his hairline.
“What does the accused have to say for himself?” Evander asked calmly, his gaze settling on William.
Every eye in the room followed.
William suddenly burst out, “They’re obviously lying! All of them!”
His finger shot toward Elion.
“Who’s to say they didn’t plan all of this with him? Maybe this was their scheme from the beginning!”
A few brows lifted at that. Evander nodded slowly.
“I will admit,” he said evenly, “that is indeed possible.”
William’s eyes lit up.
For a moment, hope returned. A crazed smile began forming on his face.
However—
Evander continued, his tone cool and steady.
“Fortunately, Nurse Beatrice’s examination has prevented us from wasting time speculating.”
The smile on William’s face disappeared instantly. It was like pouring a bucket of cold water on his head.
Right.
Everyone had almost forgotten that part. Evander picked up a document from beside him.
“She concluded that the objects responsible for the penetration were inconsistent with the size of Elion’s…goods.”
He paused deliberately.
“They were described as both too short and too thin. Far too small to be his.”
A few people at the table coughed lightly to hide their reactions. Evander’s gaze sharpened.
“This brings us to a simple question, William Dawncrest.”
The room was completely silent due to the awkwardness.
“If your…goods were to be examined, would you say they would be found to match that description? Are you, perhaps too… small?”
William’s face flushed deep red as he erupted into a deep blush.
“How dare you!” he screamed.
But before he could continue, a wave of pressure rolled across the room.
Evander had not raised his voice. He had not even stood up. Yet the force of his mana pressed down on William like an invisible mountain.
“I suggest,” Evander said quietly, “that you calm yourself. Further outbursts will only worsen your position.”
William struggled to breathe under the pressure.
Around the table, several committee members were fighting to maintain straight faces. Evander’s wording had been brutally blunt.
Even Cedric coughed into his fist. Igor bit his lip to stop himself from laughing again.
Brunna leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, clearly unimpressed, while she eyed Elion curiously, wondering to herself, ’just how big is he then’.
Her gaze lowered to his groin, only for her line of sight to be obstructed by the table. ’Fucking table!’
She made a note to take a clear look later when he got up.
“Do you still deny every accusation?” Evander asked calmly.
William’s jaw tightened. His teeth were grinding so hard that the sound was audible.
Elion leaned back slightly in his chair, a faint, pleased smile on his face. ’Things are going rather well.’
He had expected the matter to swing in his favor once the evidence was presented, but he had not expected Evander to be this supportive.
After all, Elion was not completely innocent. A less honorable person could have easily twisted the earlier events against him, questioning why he had gone the oral route at all.
But Evander had not done that. Up until now, the weight of blame had been carefully redirected where it belonged.
Evander continued. “You must think we are fools.”
His tone was no longer casual.
“If you have forgotten, a few weeks ago, you stood in this same room after attacking Elion with five others. And yet, you were the one beaten down.”
The memory clearly stung.
William’s face darkened.
Evander leaned forward slightly.
“Your enmity with Elion is well documented.”
He paused just long enough for the words to sink in.
“Healthy rivalries and minor disputes are expected in an academy like ours.”
His gaze hardened.
“But dragging uninvolved students into your personal vendetta…”
The air in the room grew heavy again.
“And assaulting them yourself to fabricate evidence…”
His voice dropped lower.
“That is despicable.”
“You are a sorry excuse for a noble,” Evander said coldly. “It disgusts me to even be associated with someone like you.”
The words were not loud.
They did not need to be.
They landed heavily.
William’s jaw clenched so tightly that a vein stood out on his temple. Evander did not stop.
“I am certain your brother would feel the same.”
William’s head snapped up.
His eyes burned with hatred as he stared directly at Evander.
For a brief second, it looked as though he might lose control completely.
The mention of his brother had struck a nerve.
Around the table, a few people exchanged subtle glances.
They all knew the name Dawncrest carried weight. They all knew the elder brother’s reputation.
And they all knew that failing in front of this many witnesses would not be taken lightly back home.
William’s hands curled into fists at his sides.
But he said nothing. Evander studied him for a moment, then slowly turned toward the three girls.
“While the three of you can be considered victims in part,” Evander said evenly, “you will not be excused entirely.”
Kaia, Ymir, and Ceryn stiffened.
“You knowingly participated in an attempt to trap a fellow student. For that, your academy allowances will be suspended for the next two months.”
Their faces went pale.
Two months without allowance.
Even with food provided by the cafeteria, daily necessities would become difficult. Training supplies, personal items, and even basic comforts would be hard to afford.
Evander continued before panic could set in further.
“You will also issue a formal apology to Elion.”
The three nodded quickly, tears forming again.
“As this is your first recorded offense,” he added, “if your conduct remains exemplary during this period, no additional punishment will be imposed.”
Relief mixed with fear in their expressions.
Then Evander’s gaze shifted to William.
“As for you.”
The room seemed to grow colder.
“You are stripped of your allowance for six months.”
William’s eyes widened, but Evander was not finished.
“Though I doubt you rely on it.”
A few faint smirks appeared around the table.
“You will also pay one hundred gold coins to Elion as compensation.”
That made everyone look up sharply.
Even Elion raised a brow.
“And fifty gold coins to each of the three girls.”
At that point, it became clear what Evander was doing.
The suspension of the girls’ allowances had been a visible punishment, but the compensation more than covered their losses.
He knew that they probably had no choice but to follow William’s orders, but he couldn’t appear to lenient even if they were victims.
Who is to say they couldn’t have said no to him? At worst, their academy life might have been a bit difficult afterwards, but William would not go too far.
So while Evander did punish them, it was clear that he wasn’t stone-faced enough to punish them too severly. Whatever punishment they had received would be covered with William’s payment.
Their reputations were damaged, yes, but financially, they would not suffer.
William, however, would feel the sting.
“And finally,” Evander said, his tone flat, “a full report of your actions will be sent to the Dawncrest family.”
William looked like the ground had vanished beneath him.
“No—no! Anything but that!”
He slammed his hands on the table.
Several people at the table frowned at the outburst.
Igor stood up slowly and walked over, towering over William with ease.
“I assume we’re finished here,” Igor said casually, though his gaze was anything but friendly.
Evander gave a small nod. “They may leave now. Unless anyone objects.” No one spoke.
Igor guided William and the three girls toward the exit. As he passed Elion, he flashed a grin and gave him a thumbs-up.
“You owe me a spar!” he said before returning to his seat.
With the outsiders gone, the atmosphere shifted.
The Disciplinary Committee members straightened in their seats.
Evander cleared his throat. “Moving on.”
They began addressing a few matters before dismissing, like discussing recent patrol irregularities around the academy grounds, minor disturbances, and so on.
The conversation became professional and efficient.
By the time the meeting ended, they were all acquainted with Elion. One by one, the others approached Elion to greet him.
Igor gripped his hand firmly again, grinning. “I like your guts, little guy!”
Magnus gave him a polite handshake and a thoughtful nod.
Cael and Cassian greeted him in sync, identical smiles on their faces. “A pleasure.”
Brunna clasped his forearm instead of his hand, her grip surprisingly strong,
“Looking forward to getting to know you!” She said with a wide, cute smile, though her gaze seemed to be wandering lower, as if measuring something.
’She’s a weird one.’
Her breasts bounced on her chest as she shook his hand.
Lysette offered a short nod with a faint smirk on her smirk.
Seraphine gave him a cool, composed handshake.
Cedric hesitated only a second before extending his hand for a handshake as well. It was odd because they were already acquainted.
’Maybe he doesn’t want to be left out?’ ELion thought.
“Now that everything has been settled, I’m comfortable dismissing you all,” Evander said calmly.
Chairs shifted as people stood.
Seraphine was the first to leave. She did not say a word, only gave a small nod before walking out with composed steps.
Cael and Cassian followed next, moving almost in sync. Magnus left with a quiet wave. Brunna stretched her arms before heading out.
Igor lingered for a second, pointed at Elion again in reminder of their promised spar, then laughed and walked off.
Soon, the room began to empty.
Elion slipped his hands into his pockets and made his way toward the door as well. Cedric was already speaking to Evander about something else, and Liora was teasing Igor from across the hall.
He stepped into the corridor and headed toward the elevator at the end. It opened smoothly when he pressed the button.
He stepped inside.
He wanted to get some training in for most of the day. There was not a lot of time until the tournament began, and he intended to make the most of it.
“Elion, wait!”
A soft voice called out from down the corridor.
He quickly pressed his hand against the door sensor, stopping it from closing. Celeste was walking toward him with steady steps.
“Hello there,” he said lightly, offering her a small smile.
She stepped into the elevator without responding immediately.
The doors slid shut.
